Public Opinion Survey

Biennial Survey

Every two years La Mesa residents are surveyed to ascertain their use of and satisfaction with city services as well as to determine priorities for their neighborhoods and the city. Survey results provide a framework for guiding the organization’s work efforts and are used by the City Council to help shape city budget priorities. The city utilizes a statistically valid telephone or online survey of randomly selected residents to acquire this data.

2019 Survey

The City continues to contract with True North Research to conduct the Community Opinion Survey. For the 2019 survey, 1,218 households were randomly selected using a combination of mailed and emailed invitations. Most of the questions asked in the 2019 survey were tracked directly from the 2017, 2015, 2013, and 2011 surveys to allow the city to analyze its performance over time.

The 2019 survey showed that 90% of residents rated the quality of life in La Mesa as excellent or good. Overall, 86% of residents surveyed indicated that they were satisfied with the City’s performance in providing municipal services. These results are comparable to the survey that was conducted in 2017. With regard to customer service, slightly more than nine out of every ten residents who had interacted with City staff in the prior twelve months rated staff as helpful, professional, and responsive.

When residents were asked what they felt the City could do to improve the quality of life, their top priorities were addressing homeless issues, improving and repairing roads, providing affordable housing, and limiting growth and development.